The Russellville City Council on Tuesday told owners of a collapsed building on North Commerce Avenue to make it safe and secure as soon as possible.

Building owner Jimmy Armstrong said he would call someone first thing Wednesday. He told the council he had met with some people, including architects and inspectors, and was getting quotes and discussing ideas on whether to try to save the old Leonard's Hardware building or have it demolished.

"I know this needs to be addressed fast. We want to get this done fast," he said.

The back portion of the building at 118 N. Commerce collapsed early Saturday, June 24, after thunderstorms came through Russellville.

Brian Holstein, director of the city's Community Development Department, said the building is a dilapidated structure and should be treated like other dilapidated structures.

"I think we have to take the same protocol we take every time," he explained. "My code (enforcement) book talks about safe construction and what has to be done to protect the public from a dilapidated structure.

"Our structural engineer said it will fall, but he doesn't know when it will fall. At this point, it is unstable. He said it will take a swan dive into Commerce. My code book tells me what safeguards to take. I could close Commerce."

Holstein said the priority for everyone was public safety, and the city needed to get professionals involved as soon as possible.

"The only containment we have is a bunch of orange cones," Mayor Randy Horton told Armstrong. "Somebody could get killed, and we can never take that back. You need to get with Brian and get that wrapped up so no one gets hurt."